Papers

In vitro digestion of microplastics in human digestive system: Insights into particle morphological changes and chemical leaching

Researchers simulated human digestion on four common types of microplastics and found that stomach acid and digestive enzymes changed the particles' shape, surface texture, and caused them to release chemical additives. The study shows that microplastics are not inert once swallowed -- they are actively transformed in the gut, which could increase their ability to interact with intestinal tissues and release potentially harmful chemicals.

Microbial degradation of contaminants of emerging concern: metabolic, genetic and omics insights for enhanced bioremediation

This review covers how microorganisms have evolved the ability to break down emerging pollutants including plasticizers, pharmaceuticals, and pesticides, turning them into less harmful substances. Understanding the genes, enzymes, and metabolic pathways these microbes use could lead to cost-effective, eco-friendly cleanup methods for removing persistent contaminants -- including plastic-derived chemicals -- from the environment before they reach people.

Mechanism of microplastic and nanoplastic emission from tire wear

Scientists showed that normal tire wear produces two distinct populations of plastic particles: smaller airborne nanoplastics that stay suspended in the air, and larger microplastics that settle to the ground. Nanoplastic emissions increase dramatically with vehicle speed and weight, and electric charge keeps the smallest particles floating in the air where they can be inhaled. This research identifies tire wear as a major and previously underappreciated source of breathable nanoplastic pollution.

Estimation of microplastic exposure via the composite sampling of drinking water, respirable air, and cooked food from Mumbai, India

Researchers in Mumbai conducted 24-hour composite sampling of drinking water, air, and cooked food to estimate daily human microplastic exposure, finding an average intake of approximately 2,000 particles per person per day. Food was the largest source of exposure, followed by air and drinking water. The study provides one of the first comprehensive estimates of real-world microplastic exposure through multiple routes simultaneously.

Protein Based Hybrid Materials of Metal Phosphate Nanoflowers and Gels for Water Remediation: Perspectives and Prospects

This review examined protein-based hybrid materials that combine biological proteins with metal phosphate nanostructures for water remediation applications. Researchers found these hybrids show promise for removing heavy metals, dyes, antibiotics, and microplastics from contaminated water. The study highlights an emerging class of biocompatible materials that could offer sustainable alternatives for water treatment technologies.

Materials science underpinnings of micro and nanoplastics

This perspective paper explores the materials science behind how micro- and nanoplastics form and behave in the environment. Researchers highlight a major knowledge gap: the process by which molecular-level bond breaking leads to the creation of plastic fragments ranging from nanometers to millimeters in size is still poorly understood. The study calls for new measurement techniques that can accelerate aging experiments and better characterize these tiny particles.

A review of rubber tyre derived micro- and nanoplastics: fate, impact and risks

This systematic review examines microplastics generated from rubber tire wear, which are a major but often overlooked source of microplastic pollution. Tire particles spread through air, stormwater, and wastewater to contaminate both land and water. This is an important human health concern because tire-derived microplastics contain toxic chemicals and are found in the air people breathe and the water they drink.

Mechanism of quiescent nanoplastic formation from semicrystalline polymers

Researchers uncovered the mechanism by which semicrystalline polymers, which make up about 70% of commercial plastics, spontaneously release nanoplastic particles even without mechanical force. They found that chemical bond-breaking events concentrate in the non-crystalline regions of the plastic, eventually causing those layers to fail and release stacks of crystalline fragments as nanoplastics. This discovery helps explain why plastics continuously shed tiny particles into the environment under normal conditions.

Characterization and Quantification of Microplastics Pollutants in Sediment Samples from Daya River of Odisha State in India for their Appropriate Management

Identification and Characterization of Microplastic Pollutants from the Marine Sediments of Paradeep Coast of Bay of Bengal, India for their Sustainable Management

Life cycle assessment (LCA) of biodegradable linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) manufactured in India

Researchers conducted a comprehensive life cycle assessment of biodegradable polyethylene film manufactured in India, evaluating environmental impacts from production through disposal. They found that additive production was the most environmentally impactful stage, with significant effects on marine ecosystems, global warming, and human health. The study provides data to help manufacturers and policymakers make more informed decisions about transitioning to biodegradable plastic alternatives.

Microbial Degradation of Synthetic Plastics Released from COVID-19 Generated Single Use Disposable Face Masks

Tire crumb in the environment: a review on occurrence, fate and recent advances in detection and analysis

This review provides a comprehensive assessment of tire wear particles as environmental contaminants, covering their physical and chemical properties, occurrence across environmental matrices, and detection methods. Researchers found that tire wear particles are present in air, water, and soil worldwide but remain difficult to quantify due to their variable density, aging behavior, and lack of standardized detection protocols. The study highlights the urgent need for consistent analytical methods to better understand how these particles move through and impact the environment.

Microplastics in soils: an environmental geotechnics perspective

This geotechnical engineering perspective reviewed microplastic contamination in soils and the terrestrial subsurface, examining how MPs alter soil mechanical properties — including shear strength, hydraulic conductivity, and compressibility — and arguing that geotechnical impacts have been underappreciated in environmental assessments.

Role of organisms and their enzymes in the biodegradation of microplastics and nanoplastics: A review

This review examined organisms and their enzymes capable of biodegrading microplastics and nanoplastics, highlighting bacteria, fungi, and insects as promising biological agents and identifying key enzymatic pathways that could offer sustainable solutions to plastic pollution.

Long-term presence of microplastics in aerobic and anaerobic sequential batch reactors: Effect on treatment, microbial diversity, and microplastics morphology

Researchers studied the long-term effects of microplastics in aerobic and anaerobic sewage treatment reactors over 120 days and found that the original microplastics generated significant numbers of smaller secondary particles. The reactors also released plastic additives into the treated water, though overall treatment efficiency was not affected. The study found that microbial diversity was negatively impacted in aerobic reactors but remained stable in anaerobic ones, highlighting that sewage treatment plants may be an underappreciated source of secondary microplastic pollution.

Effect of ultrasonication conditions on polyethylene microplastics sourced from landfills: A precursor study to establish guidelines for their extraction from environmental matrices

Researchers established optimal ultrasonication conditions for extracting polyethylene microplastics from landfill samples, finding that specific frequency and duration parameters significantly affect extraction efficiency and particle integrity.

Extraction, characterisation and remediation of microplastics from organic solid matrices

This review examined methods for extracting, characterizing, and remediating microplastics from organic solid matrices, addressing the challenges of detecting microplastics in complex environmental media and evaluating current remediation strategies.

The fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: An overview of source and remediation technologies

This review examines how wastewater treatment plants serve as key pathways for microplastic entry into the environment, analyzing removal efficiencies across different treatment stages and identifying advanced technologies for improved microplastic remediation.

Editorial: Xenobiotics and emerging contaminants in ecosystems: innovative geo-microbial strategies for prevention, efficient clean-up and biosafety

This editorial introduces a special journal section on xenobiotics and emerging contaminants in ecosystems, summarizing innovative geochemical and monitoring approaches for tracking organic pollutants, heavy metals, and microplastics across terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Discussion on “Potential improvement in the mechanical performance and thermal resistance of geopolymer with appropriate microplastic incorporation: A sustainable solution for recycling and reusing microplastics”

This discussion letter responds to a paper by Xie et al. (2024) on incorporating microplastics into geopolymer matrices as a recycling strategy, noting that the approach of encapsulating MPs of 50–500 µm in fly ash/slag-based geopolymers improved mechanical and thermal properties. The authors expand on the findings and discuss implications for sustainable MP waste management through construction material incorporation.

Fate and impact of nano/microplastic in the geoenvironment — ecotoxicological perspective

This review examined the ecotoxicological effects of nano- and microplastics in terrestrial environments across multiple taxa, finding that NMPs adsorb heavy metals, endocrine disruptors, and antibiotics that amplify their combined toxicity. The authors identified soil invertebrates and plant root systems as particularly vulnerable to NMP exposure and called for standardized terrestrial ecotoxicity testing frameworks.

Characterization of excavated plastic waste from an Indian dumpsite: Investigating extent of degradation and resource recovery potential

Researchers characterized excavated plastic waste from an Indian dumpsite to assess the extent of degradation after burial, investigating whether landfill-mined plastics retain sufficient material quality for recycling or energy recovery. The study found varied degradation levels depending on plastic type and burial conditions, with implications for circular economy recovery strategies.

Impact of Stormwater Runoff on the Water Quality of Lakes in a Metropolitan Region in India

Researchers measured the impact of stormwater runoff on lake water quality in a metropolitan region of India, finding that post-storm events elevated turbidity, nutrient concentrations, and fecal indicator bacteria in receiving lakes. The results identify stormwater management as a critical gap in urban water governance and highlight seasonal vulnerability of urban lakes to degradation.